Well, having read a few things about some clod taking our Timber Rattlesnakes from where they belong and transplanting them to a place he thought would be good, we decided to go back to a place that we totally struck out on in the past. A Timber had been seen in the parking area so we figured if we saw one, we could contact the proper folks and get it put back to where it belongs before it gets too cold.
Well, we didn't see any reptiles at all, but enjoyed the walk far more this time around. We didn't go up high into the hills, we stayed low. We did see a huge Chinese Mantis on a powerline-cut path.
A few Redbacks were our only cold-blooded critters.
We'd put in about 2 1/2 miles and felt good enough about that. We got in the car and explored around the area a little before going to a nearby tried and true spot. Of course, the first thing we saw at this place was a Redback. Well, sort of. Does this wee germ of a salamander even count?
The river that runs from the main pond had all but dried up. I looked around for Two-lines but saw none. I startled a Pickerel into a puddle and while trying to find him in my camera, I saw a Green Frog face! Huh? I took the pic and was happy to have both species in the photo.
A solo Pickerel.
Andrea found us our first October snake, a neatly folded Nerodia.
The pond was very low, of course, but there were a few distant Painted Turtles up grabbing some rays.
At the waterfall, we were watching a Water Snake hunting from under a rock in the water. After things were calm for a while, I tried to noodle under the rock and only poked him and he slid into the foundation of the falls. Poop.
This lady with some rostral damage was neatly folded nearby, though.
A pair of pleasantly planted Painters.
Going back by the waterfall to continue out to the path, the Under-rock Hunter was back at it. I got this shot as he came up for air.
We sat for a while on a bench. This very distant Painted Turtle was being fabulous on the other side of the pond.
We decided that we had enough gas in us to go to a known turtle nesting spot where we have seen Snaplings before. We trudged up to it but saw no turtles. We did, however, get to photograph our First of Year Four-toed Salamander, so it was all good.
The walk back to the car was exhausting but we made it and got ice cream for our efforts. That's how we roll.
The next day was supposed to be nice again, so I stupidly picked a spot in Middlesex County that we have had amazing Octobers at in the past. It never dawned on me that it would be bone dry. Oh well, upon arrival, Andrea spotted a beautiful Garter instantly!
This guy was to be our only snake on the day.
Redbacks are sure back. I miss them in the Summer months and I'm always happy in the Fall when they are plentiful.
Water was confined to deep areas far from the shore so getting a couple of Painted Turtles photographed felt like a big deal.
This was a huge Bullfrog who owned a small piece of the pond. I like how the sky is reflected yet the overall photo is in shadow.
Our last find was a sneaky Pickerel who tried to hide from me.
Not a massive weekend, for sure, but getting out at all is good enough for us these days and every animal we see is a treasure. Those days of 10+ species get harder and harder to achieve, be it the changing landscape or my deteriorating skills and body. Either way, a day in the woods is better than a day inside.
